REVISIT: MANILA OCEAN PARK

My
second visit to the Manila Ocean Park is complimentary of my stay at Hotel H2O Manila. Unlike before, together with my
family where we had limited viewing as the only available tickets are for the Trails
to Antarctica and the Oceanarium, this time is different. On my first visit, we
went there just before the ticket booth closes.

This
time, new attractions were given and we just have to be guided of the time set
for the shows. Aside from the
Oceanarium, we experienced the Sharks and Ray Encounter, Jellies Exhibit, Sea
Lion Show and the Symphony Evening Show.
All these in approximately six hours.

STEADY

THE OCEANARIUM

Monday to Friday: 10:00AM to 8:00PM

Weekends and Holidays: 9:00AM to 8:00PM

Last Entry: 7:15PM

The
Oceanarium is home to 14,000 marine creatures from around 277 species, all
indigenous to the Philippines and Southeast Asia. As we walk through the oceanarium, there are aquariums
of varied sizes on display featuring colorful school of fish, sharks and sting
rays with tags on the side for proper identification. Truly fit for an educational tour. The walkthrough features seven sections and
contains 1,900 cubic meters of seawater.

Similar
to any other ocean parks in the world, the main attraction of the Oceanarium is
a 25 meter long, 220-degrees curved walkway tunnel with a spectacular
underwater view of amazing sea creatures swimming overhead. This is the most densely populated part of
the Ocean Park that if you envision yourself to have a photo of yourself alone,
it is close to impossible. The sideways
are made standby area where some spectators sit for hours.

THE CROWDED OCEANARIUM

But
what is even more interesting with this installation is the fact that water
source is filtered water from the Manila Bay.
It is said that there is a special process done to ensure that the
seawater is suitable to marine life.

I
was exhausted with the number of visitors on that weekend. But the same is expected anyway. And so we move on the next attraction, where
the path is even more limited in space with stalls positioned on both sides.

JELLIES EXHIBIT

Monday to Friday: 10:00AM to 7:00PM

Weekends & Holidays: 9:00AM to 7:00PM

Last Entry: 6:30PM

It
is only this time I realized how beautiful and graceful jellyfishes are. During our stay at Hotel H2O Manila and with
the visit to the Ocean Park, I have to agree that jellyfishes are the “dancing
sea fairies” as they gracefully glide below and on the surface. But definitely only for the stingless and for
those enclosed in a space. I could not
imagine myself seeing them in the ocean while I swim. I would definitely panic.

The
various species are on display with multi-media effects and breathtaking
music. It is truly pleasing to the
senses and quite an innovative concept.

SHARKS AND RAYS ENCOUNTER

Daily: 10:00AM to 5:00PM

Last Entry: 4:30PM

The
encounter actually presents a variety of ways.
There is the aquanaut, full body and half body encounter but ours was of
a dry encounter, which allows guests to touch the stingrays without getting
wet.

It
was the shortest stint while we were at the Manila Ocean Park. The sharks and stingrays encounter is the
most engaging animal interaction to date situated at the Acquatica area in
their outdoor pool. The pool is divided
into three zones filled with various species of sharks, stingrays and
starfishes.

SEA LION SHOW

Daily: 11:00AM to 11:30AM; 3:00PM to 3:30PM and
5:00 to 5:30PM

The sea
lions of South America bring valuable information on environmental
conservation. The show features and
highlights the special skills and unique characteristics of the sea lions. Honestly, I am not a fan of shows showing
tricks of sea lions or dolphins. I want
them interacting with humans while they are at the open sea. But maybe this is just one feature of any
ocean park we have to get used to as the purpose is declared to be educational
in nature and conservation awareness.

No
matter what your personal convictions are, still, the show is worth the time
and commendation should be given to the hardworking trainers and the sea lions
themselves.

SYMPHONY EVENING SHOWS

Daily: 6:30PM to 7:00PM

Our
finale for the Manila Ocean Park experience was the Symphony Evening
Shows. The symphony features the earth’s
basic elements – water, fire, air and light to ignite Manila Bay’s night sky
with larger than life distinct characters from the sea. The show makes use of the latest multimedia
technology as well with a display of huge water fountains, the tallest in the
Philippines reaching 40 meters or 120 feet.
Symphony has more depth, creating a 2D effect as you enter an ethnic and
mysterious world filled with new entertaining animated marine life characters
in breathtaking fluid motion and vibrancy.

I
was actually waiting for the fireworks display but less were shown. We couldn’t help but compare it with other
laser and lights show but this one might have a different market. The children
I surmise is the target market.

With
the continuous shows and attractions visited at the Manila Ocean Park on one
Sunday afternoon, I was exhausted yet contented. It was a fortunate event that slowly I am
able to complete all attractions of the park offered to the public.

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About The Author

I am a CPA-lawyer by profession and a full-time wanderer. My tsinelas (slippers) have been my constant companion in my quest to discover the world we live in. No matter which part of the world I am, though oftentimes mistaken of a different nationality, I am always proud to wear my slippers, a mark of a Filipino wanderer.